Alcohol
what is alcohol
Alcohol is a liquid depressant that is consumed in the form of beer, wine, liquor or alcopops. Alcohol is a mood altering drug that is legal for adults 21+ to purchase.
ALCOHOL IN HAWAII
State of Hawaii Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2014:
20% of Hawaii population state Binge drinking at least once in the past 30 days (men having 5 or more drinks on one occasion, women having 4 or more drinks on one occasion)
Youth ages 12-24 past-month alcohol use: 25% of 36,000 responses
Youth ages 12-24 past-month binge alcohol use 17% of 24,000 responses
Hawaii Alcohol-Attributable Deaths (under 21) = 12
Hawaii State Profile and Underage Drinking Facts
State Population: 1,374,810
Population Ages 12–20: 146,000
88,000 deaths are annually attributed to excessive alcohol use in the United States. (CDC)
HEALTH RISKS
Liver disease
Increased risk of cancers
Muscle impairments
High blood pressure
Malnutrition
Irritation & inflammation of digestive track/system
Poor skin, hair and nails
Brain damage
Signs & Symptoms:
Increased risky behavior
Impaired balance, coordination and judgement
Slurred speech, confusion
Slower reactions
Unexpected behavior change (violent, paranoid, hyper emotional)
Drowsiness, nausea, vomiting
At risk to alcohol poisoning or blacking out
Women who drink during pregnancy risk giving birth to a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
LEGAL PENALTIES
It is illegal in Hawaii to drive with a Blood Alcohol Level (BAC) of 0.08 or higher – will be charged with a DUI (driving under the influence).
In Hawaii, a BAC of 0.15 or higher will be charged as a “highly intoxicated driver”.
Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This amounts to one death every 51 minutes. (CDC)
Teen alcohol use kills 4,700 people each year — that’s more than all illegal drugs combined. (MADD)
Sources: Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Honolulu Advertiser; Dontdiedrunk.org; NIAAA Data & Statistics; ADAD Client Data System Admissions; stopalcoholabuse.gov; health.hawaii.gov/brfss/files/2015; drinkinganddriv-ing.org; MedlinePlus Alcoholism; Standarddrinks.com; Abovetheinfluence.com; Alcoholalert.com; Centurycouncil.org; MADD.